Three prominent members of Catalonia’s government quit ahead of referendum
Barcelona — Three prominent members of the government of Spain’s north-eastern region of Catalonia have resigned, its president announced on Friday, just months before a planned independence referendum opposed by Madrid. In a press conference, Carles Puigdemont said the regional ministers in charge of interior matters and education, as well as government spokeswoman Neus Munté — all three on the front line in the organisation of the referendum — had "decided to step aside". He did not give a reason for their departure, but Catalonia’s executive has recently been hit by internal divisions over the vote planned for October 1 as Madrid ups pressure on members of the separatist regional government. The first public sign of tensions came earlier this month when Jordi Baiget, the regional councilor in charge of business, expressed doubt over whether the referendum could take place, given the power of Madrid, which has remained steadfast in its opposition to such a vote, considering it a t...
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